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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 9: Postersession I
BP 9.30: Poster
Monday, March 12, 2018, 17:30–19:30, Poster A
Secondary structure analysis of xanthan using atomic force microscopy — •Jenny Fjodorova1, Volker Walhorn1, Julia Voß2, Vera Ortseifen2, Karsten Niehaus2, and Dario Anselmetti1 — 1Experimental Biophysics & Applied Nanoscience, Bielefeld University, Germany — 2Proteome and Metabolome Research, Bielefeld University, Germany
Xanthan is an extracellular polysaccharide, secreted by the microorganism Xanthomonas campestris. Due to its unique viscosifying properties, xanthan has numerous industrial applications. Therefore, the optimization of xanthan production and its rheological properties is of particular interest. Targeted genetic modification of the Xanthomonas metabolism can be a powerful tool to optimize shear-thickening potency and to improve the xanthan production efficiency.
Using atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging and single molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS), we analyzed the structure and the elastic characteristics of single xanthan polymers, which were produced by different Xanthomonas strains. We identified structures ranging from single-stranded coiled networks to branched double-strands. Taking into account the varying ability to form double-strands and differences in the bending stiffness, we observed a correlation between the formation of secondary structures and its resulting different viscosifying properties. Our results enable a better understanding of relevant metabolic pathway modifications for an optimized xanthan synthesis.